Children often middle ear infection due to cold

A cold can quickly lead to middle ear infection in children

08/12/2012

Especially children are prone to middle ear infection. If the children complain of a cold and severe earache, a middle ear infection could hide behind them. However, only rarely antibiotic drugs are prescribed because the disease usually heals after a few days without antibiotics.

Sniffing the nose and complaining children in pain in the ear? In such cases, probably causes a middle ear infection. Especially with the youngest, a simple cold can trigger a middle ear infection. Under certain conditions, the pathogen can migrate from the nose through the connection between the nasopharynx and middle ear (Eustachian tube) to the inside of the ears and cause inflammation. The declared physician of the German Professional Association of Otolaryngologists.

If the germs multiply, this causes an inflammation. The earache is relatively sudden, not infrequently in the evening or at night. Children are more likely to be affected by otitis media than adults, because the ear trumpet of the little ones is still short. "That way, the path of viruses or bacteria is not that long anymore."

If a child complains of pain in the ear, parents should not lose any time and go to an ear, nose and throat specialist (ENT). In some cases, the doctor will prescribe an antibiotic. If antibiotics were previously prescribed frequently, it is now known that the middle ear infection heals quickly on its own.

To help the healing process also help home remedies for middle ear infection. In addition, it is advisable to "drink a lot so that the mucous membranes remain moist". Children can also use decongestant nasal sprays for a very limited period of time. However, these should only be used if the doctor arranges them, as the mucous membranes quickly get used to the sprays and it can come to a kind of dependence.

Repeated middle ear infections may cause enlarged tonsils or fluid in the inner ear. These conditions can lead to recurrent inflammation of the middle ear. If patients have a weakened immune system (keyword strengthens the immune system) or suffer from allergies, the causes for a repeated occurrence may be justified. Parents should not smoke in the household, as this also leads to repeated illnesses. Another risk factor is excessive pacifier wear. (Sb)

Also read:
Get middle ear infection treated quickly
Home remedy for earache
Middle ear inflammation home remedies
Not just antibiotics for middle ear infection

Picture: S. Hofschlaeger